PENANG, 22 January 2026 – Student involvement with village communities is no longer seen as an activity beyond the lecture halls. Such initiatives now connect students to society, helping them to become graduates who are mindful, ethical, and community‑oriented.

Forty‑four members of the USM Sabah Students’ Society (Pertubuhan Siswa Siswi Sabah, PERSIS) participated in a student volunteer programme, ‘Baktisiswa Ilmu Ditanam, Bakti Dituai,’ at a village in Pasir Salak, Kampung Gajah, Perak, from 15 to 19 January 2026.

The programme was organised in part to strengthen the Students for Society agenda, an initiative under the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) that aims to empower students to become agents of social change.

Led by Gulam Nor Ahamd Khan Norzaman, Head of PERSIS, and Afiza Syahirah Saharuddin as programme director, a number of activities were held, including aerobics with the villagers, gotong‑royong to clean the mosque and cemetery surroundings, a cultural night, outdoor games, a visit to the KEMAS Village Community Centre, a cooking demonstration, and a tour of the Pasir Salak Historical Complex Museum.

The programme aimed to contribute to the growth of local communities while exposing students to the realities of life off‑campus, and at the same time strengthening the role of the university within the community.

Among those present throughout the programme were the Headman of Mukim Pasir Salak, Mohd Norhamizi Aziz; Chairman of JPKK Pasir Salak village and Chairman of the Ar‑Rahmaniah Kampung Pasir Salak Mosque Committee, Hj Nor Azri Sokor; village Headman, Samsul Azmi Saleh; village Head of Kampung Biak, Asmahwati Yunus; Headmaster of SK Tok Pelita, Kampung Pasir Salak; and Senior Assistant (Administration) of SK Tok Pelita, Kampung Pasir Salak, Abdul Rahman Shaid @ Shuib.

Utilising the USM H.E.B.A.T. agenda (Holistic, Entrepreneurial, Balanced, Articulate, Thinking), flagship programmes have been formulated dynamically to be inculcated, strengthened, and ultimately empowered.

This framework is aligned with USM’s academic agenda and sustainable practices, assisting in raising the visibility and employability potential of USM graduates.

Text & Photos: Pertubuhan Siswa Siswi Sabah (PERSIS) USM/Editing: Unit Media dan Penerbitan BHEPA USM